KEEP THE FAITH (KTF): How did you feel when your congregation moved from your building on Algernon Road to your new 900-seater building? PASTOR MIKE WHITE (PMW): ‘Move In Day’ felt like a monumental moment for our church family and indeed for our community. We marched from our old location to the new, along the High Street, while singing and celebrating! The comments from those who marched with us suggest that it became for them a powerful symbol of what it means when people unite together behind a vision, and remain consistent and patient while waiting for that vision to come to pass. We felt overjoyed as we entered the building, which had in effect been hidden behind hoarding while the works took place internally to rebuild and completely renovate what had been a dilapidated, semi-derelict building. KTF: What are some of the features/attributes of this new building, and what kind of work do you still have to do so that it meets The Tab’s requirements? PMW: Once fully completed, the building will feature more rooms for us to expand many of our community initiatives, which include, among other things, our food drive for those most in need; our life skills classes, and recovery classes. The building will also feature a café, serving both the public and those attending events. Like most establishments and faith communities emerging from lockdown, we are currently focused on regathering for main services, which so far have been a blessing for many people. The 900-seater auditorium and the atrium features have provided us with more space to be able to worship and reconnect with each other socially. KTF: The Tab has long been one of the most well-known churches in Lewisham, and remains so. What do you think your dad, Bishop Leon White, a pioneering Windrush Generation church leader, would say about this development if he were still here? PMW: I’d like to think that people like my late father and the
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PASTOR MIKE WHITE
BY MARCIA DIXON MBE
Pastor Mike White is senior leader of The Tab, one of the oldest and largest Black Pentecostal churches in Lewisham. He is also one of Britain’s most well-known Black church leaders, due to the thriving congregation he leads, his TV ministry and visible presence on social media. In the latest development in The Tab’s ministry, Pastor White recently moved his congregation into a 900-seater building. He spoke to Keep The Faith about moving into a new build, attracting millennials to church, the importance of social media, and his plans for Christmas.
